FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lee Health and NCH
Establish Mobile COVID-19 Collection Sites
Drive Up Coronavirus
Testing to Begin Monday
(Fort Myers, Fla. – Mar. 13, 2020) --- Lee Health and NCH Healthcare System are each
establishing mobile collection sites to test patients for COVID-19. Patients
must meet the testing criteria, and have their test ordered by their physician
or provider. At Lee Health patients must make an appointment before showing up
to the collection site. NCH Health is not requiring appointments.
Patients will drive up to the
site to have samples collected by medical professionals outfitted with personal
protective equipment. The sample will then be sent to a lab to be tested. The
results will be provided by the patient provider.
“Until now, testing has been
one of the major challenges to responding to the coronavirus outbreak. The
mobile collection site expands the number of patients who can be tested and
will get them on the right path to care in a speedier manner.” said Kris Fay,
chief administrative officer of Lee Physician Group, Home Health and Physician
Services for Lee Health. “Between the mobile collection site and offering free
telehealth services, we are finding faster and better ways to treat patients
who may be at-risk.”
Collection site locations and
operating hours will be announced Monday morning.
“We are pleased to be serving
the community by offering this easily accessible testing option for patients,”
said, Chief Executive Officer, Paul Hiltz. “Identifying ways to test faster,
provide easier access and accelerate results will offer our community faster
care. We are constantly reviewing ways to provide the best patient experience
and respond to COVID-19.”
Lee Health and NCH have plans
to expand hours of operation and locations as needed in response to demand.
About Lee Health
Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has
been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the
needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services
organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual
served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by
caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout
the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient
centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician
practices and other services across the continuum of care. Formerly known as
Lee Memorial Health System, the organization began its second century of
service with a new name in 2016. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
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